Lance Armstrong will return to competitive racing next January at the Tour Down Under in Australia, the seven-times Tour de France winner announced yesterday.

Speaking in New York, the 37-year-old Texan confirmed that he will reunite with his former team manager, Johan Bruyneel, by racing for the Kazakh-sponsored Astana team. “I can trust Johan on every little decision,” Armstrong said. “I could not imagine racing against him or without him.”

The American confirmed that his prime objective was to raise awareness of cancer issues. “Racing all over the world, beginning in Australia, ending in France, is the best way to get the word out,” he said. “While my intention is to compete as fiercely as ever, I will gauge victory by the progress we make against cancer, a disease that will claim eight million lives this year.”

Amber Neben, Armstrong's compatriot, won the women's time-trial at the World Road Championships in Italy. Emma Pooley, of Great Britain, who won a silver medal in the event at the Beijing Olympics, finished eighth.

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